Bhubaneswar, 10 October (H.S.): Odisha Vigilance has arrested Prasanna Kumar Patra, Deputy Director of Soil Conservation-cum-Project Director, Watershed, Sundargarh, in a disproportionate assets case. He will be produced before the Court of the Special Judge, Vigilance, Sundargarh, on Satuday, officials said.

According to an official statement issued by Odisha Vigilance, searches conducted at properties linked to Patra revealed assets allegedly disproportionate to his known sources of income. The assets include four multi-storeyed buildings and a flat in Bhubaneswar, seven high-value plots, gold ornaments weighing 212 grams, bank deposits of Rs 1.46 crore and cash amounting to Rs 1.29 lakh.

The officer allegedly failed to provide a satisfactory explanation regarding the source of these assets, the Vigilance department said.

During the searches, Vigilance officials identified several immovable and movable assets allegedly linked to Patra. These included four multi-storeyed buildings and a flat in Bhubaneswar, along with seven high-value plots.

The searches also reportedly revealed bank deposits worth Rs 1.46 crore, gold weighing 212 grams and cash of Rs 1.29 lakh.

According to the agency, the assets detected during the searches formed the basis of the disproportionate assets allegations against the officer.

In connection with the case, Rourkela Vigilance Police Station Case No. 13/2026 has been registered against Patra under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Following his arrest, the officer is scheduled to be forwarded to the Court of the Special Judge, Vigilance, Sundargarh, for further legal proceedings.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda